In 1996, the Labour Court recommended that the CIE Group of Companies pay the third phase of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work from its due dates. The recommendation was signed on 10 December 1996, and the Court expected payment, including retrospective payments where applicable, in January 1997. The ICTU Group of Unions and the National Bus and Rail Union opposed linking the increase to agreement on company viability plans. The Court said making payment conditional on a major viability plan would not be in keeping with the agreement. It also urged the companies and unions to negotiate cost reductions and said they could use a conciliator or facilitator to help reach agreement.